Latch



F. M CONNELL Get. 21, 1952 LATCH 2 SHEETS SHEET 1 Filed May 17, 1947 INVENTOR. Fran/r Mc Coflnel/ ATTORNEYS Oct. 21, 1952 F. MCCONNELL LATCH 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 17, 1947 I N VEN TOR. Frank Mr 60/7/72 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 21, 1952 LATCH Frank McConnell, New Britain, Conn., assignor to The American Hardware Corporation, New Britain, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 17, 1947, Serial No. 748,703

12 Claims. 1

My invention relates to latching devices and i particular to those applicable to a door or thei like.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved device of the character indicated.

It is another object to provide an improved cylindrical latching device insertable as a unit within a single bore in the edge of a door.

It is in general an object to attain the above objects with a structure that is relatively simple, reliable, trouble-free, and of low-cost construction. Y

Other objects and various further features of the invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings:

, Fig. l is an enlarged side view of a latch incorating features of the invention, the assembled latch being shown mounted in a bore in the edge of a door;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the latch structure of Fig. 1; showing a first relation of parts;

Fig. 3 is a side view in partial section showing some of the elements of Fig. 2 in a. second rel'a-l tionship;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a. third relationship of parts;

Fig. 5 is a partially broken-away sectional view taken substantially in the plane 55v of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane 66 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of an element of the structure of Fig. 1. g

Briefly stated, my invention in a preferred form contemplates an improved latch construction for a cylindrical-type assembly to be in: serted in a single bore in the edge of a door. The latch structure may include a novel rollback and a latch carriage, together with a dogging mechanism for effectively 'dogging the carriage and, hence, the roll-back mechanism. When, however, the latch is actuated as by contact with a strike plate, novel means have been provided for disengaging the dogging means so as to render the roll-back mechanism again operative. In the form tto be described, substantially all parts including the roll-back mechanism may be formed of stamped sheet metal.

Referring to the drawings, my invention is shown in application to a cylindrical latch device which may be inserted as a unit within a bore In in the edge of a door II or the like. Oneend of the latch device may carry a face plate or 2 latch front I 2 to fit flush with the edge of the, door I for purposes of securing the latch device in position in the door. The mechanism for supporting and actuating the latch bolt I3 may be retained within a housing or case I4 of novel construction. I

In the form shown, the case M comprises two longitudinally extending body members |'5--||5 which are preferably formed at each. end with cylindrically arcuate portions |'|--|8, sothat when both pieces 5|B are fitted together, the end portions ||-|8 may cooperate to form a cylindrical end. At the back end, a cap or cuplike closure 19 may be fitted circumferentially over the arcuate portions I! of members li -l6 and secured thereto as by a bayonet-type locking mechanism 20. At the forward end of the case, a sleeve member 2| may serve a similar function in retaining the arcuate portions l8 together, the sleeve 2| being secured by bayonet locking means 24. The sleeve member 2| may also support the latch front |2 as by means of an outwardly turned lug 22 forming. part ofthe latch front l2 and swaged into an aperture 23 in the sleeve member .2|. The latch case I4 may thus be readily assembled or disassembled by a simple disengagement of the bayonet locking means 20-44 at both ends of the body members |5|6,

As indicated generally above, the latch mechanism within the case M in a preferred form comprises essentially a latch carriage 25, a rollback mechanismlfi for the latch carriage 25, and a dogging mechanism 21, which may also be engageable with the latch carriage. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the carriage 25 may be formed with spaced side members 28-49 which in the form shown are formed of a single bent piece of sheet metal secured at the projecting ends by a bridge or strut 30. Each of the carriage sides 28-29 preferably includes rack means for engagement with the rollback mechanism 26. In the form shown, the rack on the side member 28 comprises a plurality of tooth-engaging holes 3| generally opposite a corresponding plurality'of tooth-engaging holes 32 in the side members 29.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the roll-back mechanism 26 may include essen tially a cup-like element 33 (shown best in Fig. 7), and, if desired, the roll-back mechanism 26 may comprise two suchcup-like elements 33-33' mounted back-to-back. The element 33 may be defined by an outer cylindrical surface, by a generally fiat bottom 3 5 having a spindle-engaging opening 35 to engage a spindle 36, and by a sector;

gage rack openings 3| or 32.

' of radially extending rack-engaging teeth 31.

a formed in the same punching operation that produces the opening 35.

It-will be clear from Figs. 2 and 4 that, begin- .ning with the unactuated position of Fig. 2, a first direction of rotation of spindle 36 may cause teeth 31 to engage, say, rack openings 3| to retract the latch 13. Rotation in the opposite direction may cause an engagement of teeth 31 with the rack 32 to effect a similar displacement of the latch bolt l3. In the form shown, a spring 25 between the cap I!) and the latch carriage 25 will be understood normally to urge the roll-back mechanism 26: in whatever the direction that may accompany a resilient expulsion of the latch bolt [3.

, Toenh-ance the. eiieotiveness of the sheet-metal construction which characterizes the illustrated preferred form of the invention, extended bearing support may be provided for the cylindrical or journal surfaces of roll-back elements 3333. Inithe form shown, the punched bearing openings for. the roll-back. mechanism are formed in the case-plate members 15-45 as inwardly extending ears 3839-providing substantially circumferential support for both elements 333.3' of the roll-back mechanism.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, novel rotary dogging meansmay be employedeto, dogor lock the latch against roll-back actuation. In brief, this dogging means contemplatesfrotation to bring two generally diametrically opposed dogging, members into or out of engagementwithcooperating dog portions of the shankorf other means for actuating the latch bolt l3; ,In-the form shown, the shank means includes both the carriage 25 and a pin 40 carried by the latch bolt l3, and the dogging engagement is with the carria'ge25. The dogging mechanism is preferably journalled in the latch case as at 4| on an. axis generally normal to the axis of the shank means, that is, normal to the axis of pin 40. ormidway between. side members 28-29 of the from the dogs 46M by means of a generally cylindrical surface 48 of lesser diameter than the span of pairs of dogging elements 44-45 and Mi -41. Detent means may be employed for purposes of retaining the dog means 21 in one of a plurality of adjusted rotary positions, and to this end the element 2'! may also be formed with snapaction flats 49 to engage a snap spring. 59 which may be secured as by a rivet to the frame or case member 56 of the assembly. In the form shown, the dog elements 2'! may thus be said to comprise apair of spaced journals for bearing support in the frame or case [4, a first pair of opposed dogs and a second pair of opposed dogs spaced from. each other by a, cylindrical surface, and a plurality of snap-action flats between one set of dogs and one ofthe journals.

In the form shown, clogging engagement between the dog mechanism 21 and the latch carriage 255 is efiected when the arcuately formed outer contours of dogs 44-45 and 4641 are received in corresponding arcuate recesses 52 in the carriage 25. It will then be seen that once the dog mechanism 2'! has been snapped (as in Fig. 2) into, a dogging position, no amount of turning of spindle 36, as by a door knob orother actuating mechanism, will be effective to displace the carriage 25, for the diametral locking action of the dog mechanism 21 cannot be disturbed by an attempted displacement of the carriage.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, lost-motion means may be provided between the latch bolt i3 and the latch carriage 25. In the form shown, this lost-motion means comprises the pin 48 and an aperture in the base of the bridge or strut 30, whereby the pin 40 may slide with respect to the carriage 25. The rear or extended end of the pin 46 preferably carries a bracket or'finger member 53 having a projecting end offset from the axis of the dogging mechanism 27, and the finger projection 53 preferably extends into close proximity with a part of the dog mechanism 27 when said mechanism is in dogged position. Thus, for the position shown in Fig. 2, with the latch extended as under the resilient action of spring 54, the finger projection 53 just clears, or is in position to engage, the dogging mechanism 21. If the latch mechanism 13 shouldbe depressed as by engagement with a strike plate, it will be appreciated that the finger projection 53;would engage dog element 21 to provide a turning moment for dislocating the same, from the position shown inFig,,2 to the position shown in Fig. 3. In the case of such dislocation it will be seen that the dog mechanism 2'! is disengaged from the carriage 25 and held in such disengaged position by means of the retaining spring 55]. The latch mechanism is thenin condition for roll-back actuation as by' rotation of'spindle 3S.

It will be appreciated that I have described a relatively simple latch construction for particular application to a bore-insert at the edge of a door. The latch is reliable, highly efiectivaandofilowcost construction.

.While I. have described my invention in detail for the preferred form shown, it will be under.- stoodthat-modifications may be made withi'nthe scope of the inventionas defined inthe claimswhich follow.

I claim: 1.. In a device of the character inclicated, bolt means,,a longitudinally slidable carriage mem.

ber havingtwo sides and connected'with lost motion to said bolt means, dogging means engageable with each of said twosides in a first position and free from said two sides in a second position, and snap-action detent means cooperating with said dogging means to provide detent.- retention of one of said positions.

2. In a device of the character indicated, a bolt, shank means connected with lost motion to said bolt, roll-back means engageable. with said shank means for actuating said bolt, arotatable dogging member having an axis gen.-

I erally normal to the axis of said shank means,

said dogging member including generally. diametrically opposed dogs engageable with oppo site sides of said shank means, detent means co operating with said dogging means to-provide. detent-retention of a. dogging position or said dogging member, and throw-off means between said bolt and said dogging member.

3. In a device of the character indicated, a

bolt, shank means for said bolt, said shank means including a carriage having spaced longitudinally extending side members, and having a lost-motion connection to said bolt, roll-back means engageable with said side members for actuating said bolt, dogging means engageable with said side members for dogging said bolt, and throw-off means for said dogging means and responsive to a lost-motion displacement of said bolt relatively to said carriage.

4. A device according to claim 3, in which said dogging means includes a rotatable member havingan axis generally normal to the axis of said shank means, and generally radially projecting dogs simultaneously engageable with dog recesses in each of said side walls.

5. In a device of the character indicated, a bolt, shank means for said bolt, said shank means including a. carriage having longitudinally extending spaced side walls and lost-motion means between said carriage and said bolt, actuating means engageable with said carriage for actuating said bolt, dogging means engageable with both said side walls for one position of said dogging means, and finger means carried by said bolt to engage said dogging means when said dogging means is in said one position, whereby when said dogging means is in said one position said lost-motion means may permit a displacement of said bolt to cause disengagement of said dogging means.

6. In a device of the character indicated, a bolt, a carriage having spaced side members,

roll-back means engageable with said side memhere for actuating said bolt, rotary dogging means between said side members and having projections engageable with each of said side members for a first rotary positioning of said dogging means, whereby said carriage and hence said roll-back may be efiectively dogged, and lostmotion means including a finger engageable with one of the projections of said dogging means when said dogging means is in said first position, whereby when said dogging means is in said first position a displacement of said bolt may cause said finger to rotate said dogging means to a second position out of engagement with said carriage.

7. As an article of manufacture, dogging means for a bolt of the character indicated, said dogging means including a journal, generally diametrically opposed radially extending dogging projections, and a plurality of detent flats symmetrically disposed about the journal axis to cooperate with a relatively fixedly anchored detent member for detent-retentionof a dogging position of said dogging means.

8. As an article of manufacture, dogging means for a device of the character indicated, comprising spaced journals on a common axis, generally diametrically opposed outwardly extending dogging projections between said journals, and snap action-flats between said journals for engagement with a spring to retain said dogging means in one of a plurality of adjusted rotary positions.

9. As an article of manufacture, a dogging element for a device of the character indicated, said element comprising spaced journals, a first pair of generally diametrically opposed radially outwardly extending dogging projections, a second pair of generally diametrically opposed radially outwardly extending dogging projections, a cylindrical surface between said first and said second dogging projections and of lesser diameter than the span of said projections, and snapaction flats for engagement with a spring to retain said dogging element in one of a plurality of adjusted rotary positions.

10. In a device of the character indicated, a longitudinally extending latch case having a cylindrical portion at one end, bolt means slidable in said cylindrical portion, a carriage slidable within said case, lost-motion means between said carriage and said bolt means and including resilient means urging said bolt means to engage said carriage for an extended position of said bolt means, roll-back means engageable with said carriage for actuating said bolt means, dogging means engageable with said carriage for dogging said carriage, dog-relieving means carried by i said bolt means for disengaging said dogging means from said carriage, a retaining cap secured to the other end of said case, and resilient means between said carriage and said cap for resiliently urging said carriage in a direction to extend said bolt means.

11. As an article of manufacture for a latch assembly of the character indicated, a roll-back element comprising a cylindrical cup stamped from sheet material, an integral bottom confining the bore of said cup at one end thereof,

said bottom having a polygonal spindle-receiving opening whose corners are at least as radially spaced from the bore axis as is the bore, whereby the mere punching of the spindle-receiving opening may provide sufficient angular looking with an inserted spindle and yet said roll-back element may be fully supported in angular alignment with the inserted spindle for the full axial extent of the bore.

12. An article according to claim 11, and including an integrally radially outward flange at the other end of the roll-back element and having a sector of equally-spaced gear teeth in the periphery thereof.

FRANK MCCONNELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

